It's a lot of pressure to photograph the wedding parties. By the wedding day, I've worked with the bride and groom already for engagements and gotten to know them better through various calls and emails. However, it's rare I know the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Getting them to open up for the formals can be tough and intimidating. It helps though when they're not shy in front of the camera. Or shy around the groom...
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Photo by Chance Hammock |
Planking. When we were out shooting the formals prior to the ceremony, my groom said, "Kelli! Get a picture of this!" In my old age (27 years young) I had no idea what planking was at the time. I thought to myself, this? Really? They told me it was some fad from England or somewhere in Europe. I took the picture at the request of the client and it was months later I found out what planking really was. Heck, they even devoted the opening of an Office episode this season to the fad.
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Photo by Chance Hammock |
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Photo by Chance Hammock |
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The Mothershead wedding party giving me some GQ sexy |
There is one particular position I like my groomsmen to stand in - "protect the junk", which is essentially just the hands clasped in front. I don't know any better way to describe it and it always gets a good laugh and gets the men to let down their guard. At Kristen and Johnny's wedding I used this technique and throughout the reception the groomsmen would say, "Protect the junk!" every time they passed.
I've always found that the groomsmen are more willing to be silly and perhaps that helps the groom release any jitters he may have prior to the ceremony. I know that Paul, from Tyler and Cassie's wedding certainly made us laugh with his help. He was able to give Tyler a lot of pointers on how to take a good picture. Case in point:
My brides have all been exceptional. They're all naturals. Really, with a beautiful bride in her dress all they need to do is smile to take a great picture. Still, that's a lot of dress. I find myself doing double duty a lot - fluffing the dress, fixing the hair, re-pinning a veil. It's not everyday I get a lovely assistant but I was so happy to have Courtney to help me with Jessie's bridals. She pitched in lots of ideas, grabbed items when we needed them and helped keep the animals occupied and out of the shot when they weren't needed. Oh, and tons of comic relief - she provided me with lots of natural laughs and smiles in the Johnson's photographs!
I really enjoy the time that I get so spend one on one with my bride and groom on the wedding day. It's so amazing to see a couple on the ultimate romantic day. It's interesting to see the dynamic between a couple and why they fit together so perfectly.
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Photo by Chance Hammock |
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Photo by Chance Hammock |

She couldn't resist stopping and saying hello! I love seeing friends see the bride and groom for the first time to congratulate them. Oh - and did you notice Liese's license plate? She's a radiologist tech if that helps.
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Photo by Chance Hammock |
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The shot being taken above |
I am always grateful to the DJs, staff, reception hall managers and even the bridal party for taking care of me during a wedding. From making sure I get a meal and even a few minutes to sit down. It was especially great to have Chance at multiple weddings where I could have a backup and assistant to help during busy times. Better yet - someone to eat with in a corner during a quick break! It is great to work with such a great friend. Not every wedding requires a 2nd shooter, but I'm beginning to think all my weddings require a Chance.

Before each ceremony begins, I always talk to the Reverend or officiant over the whole shebang. I've been told some officiants have strict rules about what you can and cannot do or some locations require you not shoot in certain areas, or even at all. That's what I've been told - so far, each officiant has said "Get as many pictures as you can!" I've later asked guests if they considered me a nuisance or distracting from the bride and groom and so far, so good. Blending is the goal.
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Photo by Chance Hammock |
It was a great wedding season. I learned so much from my couples and each wedding I shot. I loved the rush and feeling I had coming home late at night after a full day of work. Working on weddings also helps me to appreciate my own marriage, which is going 6 years strong. Something about being surrounded by all that love and mushy stuff, and especially by friends and family who love and are so excited for the bride and groom... it just puts you in a good mood.
I'm so grateful to all of the couples and families I worked with this year. Grateful they trusted me to get the job done and to give this rookie wedding photographer a shot. Photographing weddings has made me a better portrait photographer in all aspects of my work. I have loved working with my friends and being a part of their special days. I hope that when they look back on their photos from their wedding day that they not only cherish the memories of what a fantastic day it was, but that they remember their little photographer too.
Here's to next season!
At first I was like, "Where's my photo credit?!" But your compliment to Chance was so kind and so well-written that I couldn't stay mad. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so very flattered! I'll happily be your second shooter anytime!
ReplyDeleteKelli,this is great!!!!
ReplyDeleteI think every wedding needs a male and a female photographer. You and Chance seem to make a great team. One of my favorite shots from my daughter's bridal sessions was the picture I took of someone taking a photo of the photographer taking a photo of the bride. It was a fun "behind the scenes" view. I really liked the photo Chance took of you doing the "shoe" shot.
ReplyDelete